Rasmus Hojlund could provide Arsenal with transfer windfall as Mikel Arteta targets David Raya

Rasmus Hojlund’s prospective move to Manchester United could provide Arsenal with a transfer windfall that helps in their pursuit of David Raya.

Last week it emerged that United had reached an agreement with Atalanta over 20-year-old striker Hojlund.

The deal in principle is worth an initial £64million with a further £8million due to be paid in add-ons, while Hojlund has put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the option of an additional 12 months.

The price United are paying for the Denmark international, a player with fewer than 90 first-team appearances to his name, has provided any rival team looking to sell a striker with a major boost.

Indeed, Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun and Eddie Nketiah have been linked with moves away.

The former in particular, is coming off the back of an extremely fruitful loan at Ligue 1 side Reims, where he netted 21 league goals, some 12 more than Hojlund’s Serie A tally last term.

In turn, the US international could justify calls to be sold for upwards of £50million given his age (22) and past campaign.

Nketiah has also been linked with a departure, with Crystal Palace being the team most frequently touted.

The 24-year-old has proven to be a Premier League goalscorer when given regular starts, notably scoring twice against Manchester United to help hand the Gunners a dramatic 3-2 win at the Emirates in January.

And should Nketiah also depart, Arsenal can use Hojlund’s price tag to demand an inflated fee.

Arsenal linked to David Raya

This weekend it emerged Arsenal are interested in signing Brentford goalkeeper David Raya to provide competition with Aaron Ramsdale.

Talks are reportedly ongoing behind the scenes about the next step with Arsenal yet to have formalised their interest with a bid.

The Gunners tried to sign Raya, who has one year left on his contract, three summers ago but saw several offers rejected.

Brentford value the Spain international at £40million. Having already spent some £200million this summer, Arsenal may benefit from Balogun or Nketiah’s big-money departure to secure a move for Raya.

Topics: Football, Transfers, Premier League, Arsenal, Manchester United, Rasmus Hojlund, Eddie Nketiah

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.